In the 17th of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Las Vegas Raiders.
Key Off Season Acquisitions
The Raiders made one key acquisition on offense and defense for the 2024 NFL season. In comes quarterback Gardner Minshew II of Flowood, Mississippi, who signed a two-year deal worth $25 million, and defensive lineman Christian Wilkins of Framingham, Massachusetts, who signed a four-year contract worth $110 million.
Minshew II is joining his fourth NFL franchise after previously playing two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 and 2020, two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022, and one season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023. A year ago, Minshew II saw regular playing time in Indianapolis when rookie Anthony Richardson injured his shoulder and was done for the season. In 2023, Minshew II completed 305 passes in 490 attempts for 3305 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He also had 34 rushes for 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Wilkins has played the last five seasons with the Miami Dolphins. In 17 games in 2023, he had 65 combined tackles (38 solo tackles and 27 assisted tackles), 10 tackles for a loss, 23 quarterback hits, nine sacks, two fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
Fantasy Stars
Kicker Daniel Carlson of Colorado Springs, Colorado is ranked eighth. Last year he made 26 of 30 field goals and all 32 converts. Meanwhile, Brock Bowers of Napa, California is ranked eighth among tight ends. The only rookie ranked in the top 10 at any fantasy football position, Bowers was selected in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft, out of the University of Georgia.
Projected Finish
I am picking the Raiders to finish third in the AFC West. They are behind the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers, but ahead of the Denver Broncos. There are some reasons for optimism in Raider Nation. Las Vegas still has wide receiver Davante Adams of East Palo Alto, California, and defensive end Maxx Crosby of Lapeer, Michigan, who were integral players to their lineup the last two seasons.
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